It was a great shock to a lot of fans of WoW’s lore that Illidan actually dies when you defeat him at the end of Black Temple. This was doubly surprising when taking into account Chris Metzen at Blizzcon 2005 who said we’d only be “slowing him down”.
So there’s the question? Is Illidan really dead? Is his active participation in Warcraft’s lore over?
I don’t think so, and it simply comes down to this… from a storytelling standpoint, his arch is not yet complete and he is a character primed for redemption. Corruption and redemption are two exceptionally prevalent themes in Warcraft’s lore and I can’t believe Metzen would waste utilizing that theme on such a popular character who was ready for it.
As far as Illidan’s arch goes, remember, Illidan is THE demon hunter the same way his brother Malfurion is THE druid. Illidan is also the reason for the well of eternity and therefore substantially responsible for Azeroth’s most recent confrontation with the Burning Legion. Kil’Jaeden leads the Burning Legion for Sargeras and is the lore’s most powerful demon.
Demon Hunter & Demon
Cause of the Invasion & Leader of the Invasion
See where I’m going with this?
It only makes sense that Warcraft’s most powerful demon hunter would be the one to defeat the most powerful demon; especially now that the lore has made it personal.
As far as Illidan’s death goes, as a writer I can tell you that bringing a character back to life is one of the easiest retcons imaginable. And it doesn’t even necessarily require a retcon. Is Illidan dead, or is his soul now a prisoner of Kil’Jaeden as Ner’zhul’s once was?
So what would the context and catalyst be for such a fight?
Remember, Illidan has done hideous, horrible things, but there is one element of his being that has always remained pure, selfless, and true, his unquestioning love for Tyrande.
If Kil’Jaeden hurt Tyrande, Illidan would kill him. Simple as that. Dead or not. The rest is just filling in the blanks.
And by killing Kil’Jaeden, Illidan would finally reach redemption and complete his character’s arch. Because of this, I don’t think Illidan would survive the fight either and this would be his real end.
Such a battle would likely rival even Grom vs. Mannoroth.
You are not prepared!
-C-
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I too hope Illidan is not dead. Though… I don’t like the idea that Tyrande has to die for him to be redeemed. I like Tyrande.
Now I didn’t say “die”, I said “hurt”.
It drives me crazy that any really important character in the Warcraft story must be redeemed, and I really hope the trend has some breaks in it somewhere. I know the Warcraft universe is supposed to have actual good and evil as forces, but does Metzen really have to have people flick between them so frequently?
I’d like to see a character fall into darkness and stay there for once. True tragedy tugs at the heart strings more than a lame redemption, same as leaving some people dead is far better than having their ghosts return for some trivial thing (Uther, for example, would perhaps be better off dead than being summoned in Western Plaguelands for trivial matters).
Now that Illidan’s dead, I’m waiting to see what happens to Arthas and I’d love to hear what you think about his predicament. If he’s redeemed that could be lame. If he’s released from the grip of Ner’zhul and left to fend for himself in a world hostile to him that’d be interesting. If he’s killed as the depraved individual he is and damned for all eternity for his choices, with a large fanfare and enough story to make us feel sorry for him, that’d be awesome. Not because I’m some evil person that likes to see others suffer, but because it’d be a reality check; while demons are pure evil and Naaru are pure good, mortals can be both and have to deal with the consequences of their evil choices.
There was a thread on the US general forums where people were debating how Arthas would die, whether it’d be one of the following or a mixture:
Uther the Lightbringer (as a death knight)
Sylvannas Windrunner (as revenge)
Jaina Proudmore (as pity)
Thrall (as necessity)
A few others were mentioned, and the whole discussion was fairly interesting. I’d be interested to hear your thoughts on what would be the most emotionally moving end for Arthas’ crusade.
Fine, hurt.
I still don’t want to see her hurt.
Hi Cocles,
interesting discussion here.
I firmly believe Illidan is not dead, he is one of the most influent characters in the current history of Azeroth and Outlands, his path to corruption started back in the time when the War of The Ancients took place. Then he was condemned and spent 10.000 years plotting his revenge, I’m sure he figured out everything.
Illidan already knew about the portal being reactivated, the “invasion” of warriors from Azeroth wasn’t unexpected for him, he knew this Azerothians were after his head and also knew there might be a possibility for Maiev to be released (via treachery or maybe the NEs doing it) so he could make some arrangements to avoid being defeated at all.
As you said, one of the major themes of WoW is redemption, we saw that with Meidvh, Grom, and other less important characters.
Bruce says this is kind of repetitive, this could be true, but lets no forget the powerful one hasn’t redeemed yet (and probably never will). I’m talking of Sargeras.
Regarding Arthas’s defeat probably would involve Tirion and Ashbringer (Frostmourne v/s Ashbringer maybe?).
I too agree with the fact that Illidan- a major, and often favorited lore character- would be killed so undramatically, so meaninglessly. He might be somehow involved in Wrath of the Lich King… maybe revenge on Arthas? Joining the players as an NPC, maybe?
Maiev was resurrected, Kael’thas and Kel’Thuzad will be resurrected… so why not Illidan, who is stronger than any of them?
if you want him back please sign this petition to blizzard
http://www.petitiononline.com/iiiidan/petition.html
I must say you’ve made a very insightful argument. I too am an author and I never even noticed that pattern. Illidan is my favorite WC character and has been since I played Reign of Chaos. Based on those patterns, knowing Blizzard, and the fact that heroes come back all the time…I too believe (and hope) that Illidan will “return” if he hasn’t already. Based on Blizzard’s definition of “killing” concerning WoW…I also must add that it seems like anytime they mention that a major character is killed–Kael’thas, Vashj, or any other character that was big in WCIII–isn’t really dead but is just “transferred to the Alter.”
A di V
Personally, I think Illidan being killed by players would be the same as Arthas being killed by players… it’s just so ridiculous… I think when we ‘killed’ him, that he actually was only banished into the Emerald Dream with his brother.
What he does there is up to him. He’s safe there from Kil’Jaeden and all… In fact, I don’t really remember WHY we killed him… what was the point other than he was bad? Something about Akama i think… anyway, bleh.
Come to think of it, he wasn’t doing anything other than sitting at his house watching the tube and eating Azerothian Gnome Chips…
Anyway, I forget what he was doing that’s so bad that we had to kill him but my point is that, and this is just my opinion, a bigger question of good/evil and redemption would be Arthas.
Personally, Arthas becoming Lich King was the reason I started WoW so i could see him come out of his funk. I want him to break free of Ner’zhul and then help you fight Ner’zhul (now with a physical form courtesy of “WTFPWNED” lore tatics.) and THAT’s the death of the Lich King… and of course Arthas would have to die too because Frostmourne permanently bound itself to him (not Ner’zhul) and that makes him evil… Fordring or whatever his name is from the Death Knight ending in-game cinematic has to kill him ’cause that’s epic….
Illidan is alive, killing him would be teh gey.
I fully aggre with Tyrande shouldent get hurt
But, Tyrande said that she believed illidan would become a hero once again when she left Furion to free him. I believe Illidan of all people will defeat or kill Arthus.
It could be possible that he is brought back through a mysterious ritual by Maeiv. (The Crazy b*tch loves him, don’t deny it!)
That, or we may see him again in a Sargeras/Demon-based Expansion (Yay, another one). It’s impossible for him to really be dead though – There are too many factors for his ‘ressurection’.
Malfurion, Maeiv, Kil’jaeden or even Sargeras having ‘stored’ his Soul (Hey, if my Warlock can store the Priest’s soul.. then the damn Lord of all Demons should be able to do so with Illidan’s).
So who knows.
Metzen made a comment some time ago about Illidan’s death when asked about it. I cannot remember the exact quote, but it was something like:
“Illidan’s kinda like Boba Fett. He’s this really cool character, but in the end he’s not that important and ends up dying like a chump.”
I wouldn’t be a fan of Illidan’s return or redemption, despite the fact that I RP a demon hunter and have had a huge love-affair with their lore for over four years now. The core of Illidan’s character is his tragedy. The core of Maiev’s character is that she has nothing to live for aside from the hunt for Illidan.
Thus, having Maiev kill Illidan like she did serves two purposes:
1) It retains the tragedy of Illidan’s character, the misunderstood “hero” who did all the right things for entirely wrong reasons, and ended up being shunned, hated, and hunted for it.
And
2) It serves as a poetic and fitting end for Maiev Shadowsong, whose sole purpose has been Illidan’s hunt. So much so that she would even lie to her superiors and own people to achieve her goal. Her hatred transcended all else, and to have her life be completely and UTTERLY meaningless after Illidan’s death is … just awesomely fitting.
Interesting angle.
I have to wonder though if Blizzard is not redeeming Arthas in other to give them breathing room to redeem someone like Illidan (for 5 minutes to kill KJ).
That being said, one other strong question has been, “Who has a real personal bone to pick with with KJ”. For a long time Illidan topped that list, but at the very end of Burning Crusade, Kalecgos stepped up there beside him.
In terms of an expansion, I think this would work out extremely well. You’ve already mentioned that Emerald Dream is highly likely to be the next expansion in line, and Demon Hunters the heroic class that will be playable. Now imagine if Illidan, redeemed, were to be the one to train the new Demon Hunters and let them loose into the next content. I think that would work amazingly well, and Blizzard isn’t above doing it as Arthas himself helped the Death Knight’s along in WotLK.
I believe illidan is WAY too important to to just die…Ya he may be like a Boba fet but like Boba fet his legacy wont just die…*cough* Jango fet
Ah, but his legacy’s NOT dead. Demon hunters still exist. His family is still around. Illidan’s legacy is far from gone. But he, as a character, is dead.
i think illidan will be turned good by his defeat in BT and will lead his demon hunter(new hero class) against the legion in a new expansion.
Also, Boba Fett didn’t actually go out like a chump. Assuming you are referring to him falling into the sarlacc pit, he actually managed to escape and went on to lead a much more dynamic and fulfilling life (mostly because Lucas didn’t realize how big of a hit he would be)
Very nice article… I also wholeheartedly agree with the idea of bringing Illidan back. Not so much because he never should have been dead in the first place, but because of how bland and insignificant his death was in Burning Crusade – at the hands of adventurers! mere players who could just raid his temple and kill him in association with a weak and rushed story involving Akama and Maiev… As a colossal character in the Warcraft universe, with such an incredibly good connection in the lore, Illidan should have certainly deserved a much more proper finale.
I am certain that Blizzard now regrets the way they handled Illidan in the Burning Crusade. They are certainly taking more time now with Arthas in Lich King, and I hope that they don’t make the same mistake again. If the final death of Arthas will come, then let it be a memorable and remarkable one. As of now, Illidan’s end is truly unsatisfactory though. And I feel like a comeback either in an expansion to WoW, or perhaps in a later installment of this franchise, would be great. Seeing him meet his end in a colossal battle with Kiljaedan and the Burning Legion would be most satisfactory!
If Illdan is really dead, then its a really bad way for him to die. so in the lore they say he was killed by a bunch of Known players with the help of Maive and Akama. thats not good
A character that GREAT like Illdan deserves a better ending
All for him getting revenge on Arthas.. appearing in the end fight to (steal the kill) mortally wound Arthas then returning fully to the story when Azshara is back in the picture. Hopefully a little more ambiguous as he was during warcraft 3.
I think he’s exactly the same as Ner’zhul, Sargaras would have great pleasure in keeping him encased in his tortured existence.
Though I could see his return coinciding with the revenge promised by the nathrezim Mal’Ganis .. (possibly ‘using him’ as their weapon, as Mal’Ganis is too cowardly)
sign petition if you want him alive
http://www.petitiononline.com/iiiidan/petition.html
>>>Hello…
( I apologize for my english)
I am glad to see that many people understand what lore of Warcraft is really about…
It is awsome to hear good ideas and good interpretations of story and as One of the biggest Illidan’s fan, I would like to give some more ideas as I see them going and fitting in this glory of Illidan…Please don’t discard some of posible theories just couse they are apsurd ( that is the beauty of immagination)…so lets begin>>>
1. As Malfurion killed the Archimonde ( druid-druid ) , Illidan will kill Kil’jaedan ( demon-demon) …now I am saying druid and demon couse that is how Arch. and KIl’j. are seen in the game.
2. Illidan=Lich in terms of hunger for power…I wont talk about LIch couse he will play role in Killing Kil’jaedan and going back to Drenor=Outland.
Fight between Arthas and Illidan was simulated( just Immagine fitst time they met they were fighting longer then in the second one, even Illidan consumed Eye of Sargeras-so he can see how Arthas is really powerful, and Guil’dan’s memories and powers-knowledge) .
3. 10000 years in prison and yet he forgived his brother ( that is hard-he knew that he did wrong for using lake as Well and bringing doom to his nation Nightelfs so he sentenced him self to stay and not to complain) . Other side of story, Why he should stop using magic, he was the only one born with Golden eyes ( great magic potencial ) . Also he has ewery right to hate Furion ( for taking his love, forbiting the magic use, inprisonning him, not supporting when he needed him the most ) . Illidan did what was good at…Folowing His Dream.
…I wont talk about Furion couse he is Great caracter and would’t like to blure his fame…He was the patien one , the shan’do and Had to take responsability for the nation ( but sometimes nice words do not work and you need Illidan)
4. Illadan took Naga=qursed Nightelfs who were not bad, and never asked for revenge to help them as he knew they share the same passion.
5. With Eye of Sargeras he could see that he can’t defeat Kil’jaedan as he become close “ally” to him, so he had to play both sides…the story had to finish with removing Illidan from the lore because of second failure to destroy LIch ( now don’t tell me that he could’t do it, and who survived Frostbourne…what matter is what would Happen if he would defeat Lich, he would really betrey Tirenide and his brother for who He has Great respect ) …So He had to play bad in outland and let 5th grade heroes “kill him” …
6. You Are Not Prepered…the famous words. 90% of players don’t know what is he talking about, not about himself for sure…
For lore I finish here…
Personal Wiew…Illidan as Master magician could go to emerald dream for 10000 years, and could escape any time he wanted. He can use Image to run away. He can mana Burn any hero and make him a regular unit with extra armour. He can avoid attacks. He can walk leaving firemarks( cool) . He can fly. He can love but not Be loved( not cool) . He can see magic. He has memories and powers of the most powerfull warlock ever ( gul’dan-who thought he can clame Sargeras powers from the tomb for himself) He survived Openning the Tomb Of Sargeras and Frostbourne. He saved Tiranide. He fought with his brother in First war after seeing coruption of his people. He is Badass.
He is Demon-Hunter true and only Illidan Stormrage Shan’do.
For those who liked this don’t worry there will be Illidan and dozens movies about Him…
I red my post couple of times and found too many mistakes ( gramatic type) it is couse of too many ideas and no much time. Please understand me, english is my 4th language and I am getting better…just I have to study more and play less Warcraft
…
Hi,
I know this post is old but I just “found” your blog and I agree Illidan isn’t dead. I just have a different theory.
1) He wasn’t a bad guy. The mortal races and Illidan had a common enemy The Legion. Illidan’s methods were a bit on the coo coo side but the enemy of my enemy is my friend. He was in Outland using Magtheron’s blood to build his own army of fel orcs to use against the legion. Keal’thas even tells us that Illidan can’t stop him from summoning Kil’jaeden and yet we try to stop Illidan anyway. Through out WC the mortal races were never the brightest bulbs in the box. It was also just stupid. Superman doesn’t kill batman cause his methods are different.
2) He’s smart and sneaky. He says he knew that Keal’thas would betray him and he had a feeling Akuma wasn’t all he appeared to be. Through out his life all his plans were interrupted by people poking around his business and the events in outland are no different. He would know the only way to finish his work in peace would be to disappear.
3) Faked death. Ok follow me on this. Illidan knew Keal’thas would betray him. One can assume he knew about Akama’s plans. He was still wanted dead by the legion and now the mortal races want his legendary weapons. One cna assume while he had Maive captive he struck a deal. She appears to kill him where everyone can see, he’ll come with her as her prisoner (the one thing Maive wants most) as long as she lets him plot revenge on the legion. Maive gets what she wants, Illidan gets what he wants…win win. What better way to be left alone if everyone, friends and enemies either witness or hear about your downfall and eventual death.
4) No proof of his death. Every major raid boss has SOMETHING you loot off of them that is proof they’re dead. Be it a phylactery, essence, tooth, vial of blood, scales, tentacle, eyeball, magic glowing ball, head, hand, foot, finger…something that says “yeah they’re dead” Illidan…nothing. Sure you can get his Warglaves but he can live without them, he even throws them into the ground during the fight. Rag doesn’t count cause as long as there are people to summon him he’ll just keep coming back.
5) His story isn’t finished. Blizzard spent a good deal of time to make MalFurion Illidan’s rival. MalFurion and Illidan are the Sabertooth and Wolverine, Batman and Joker, Ryu and Ken of the Warcraft universe…two sides of the same coin. There’s no way that they would let Illidan die and leave MalFurion out of it. Hell Tyrande wasn’t even involved. It’s too much of a cheap ass ending to a story. I may not like some of the lore decisions and WC has more retcons then the entire DC universe but I have SOME faith in them. The way it ended in TBC it was like the final showdown between Bats and the Joker. But Bats is taking a long nap and robin is in the bat cave bouncing up and down so Batmite comes and stops the joker. Really lame. Not to mention it was totally out of character for MalFurion to think illidan needed to be stopped after how the sentinel campaign ended in WC3TFT or…and I really hate to use this example. How he reacted when the Night Elves wanted to put illidan to death in one of those stupid WoW books.
6) Where is he? Well Blizzard has said that in outland there are many portals to many different worlds, he could be on one of them. Maybe Akama was in on it. His part of the bargain? He gets his temple back as long as Illidan can hide there with Maive watching over him. The emerald dream. The smart people in the WC universe know all too well that Illidan is a powerful ally to have when they decide to put an end to the legion. The Legion, who still wants Illidan dead, hide him in a place where they can’t get to. Based on some of the quests in WoW any of the mortal races can get into the emerald dream. The Aspects are hiding him. MalFurion and the Aspects have a good relationship, it’s possible that from the emerald dream MalFurion requested the Aspects hide Illidan and let Maive keep him in check until he’s needed.
7) NONSENSE POOPIE PANTS! Look is Keal’thas, Ony (twice), Nef, Baron Rivendale, and Van Cleef can all come back all but Keal came back from being beheaded there no chance in hell that one of the major lore characts such as Illidan is going to go out like that.
Tnx for comment i like your wiew of story why don’t you work for Blizard
)
…Anyway which Wow book does describe Illidan the most and did you like them…
Thank you for the compliment. I actually was interviewed by Blizzard a couple of years ago. Perhaps some day I’ll talk with them again; they’re a great company.
As far as books go, if you’re an Illidan fan then I recommend checking out the War of the Ancients trilogy by Richard A. Knaak. There are three books, but you can get them bound together as one archive here: http://amzn.to/ar51uO